Who will define the sports business agenda in 2026?

The SportsPro team reveal their ten most influential figures for the year ahead spanning global sport, media, politics and athlete power before locking in a set of bold predictions on media rights, private equity, women’s sport and golf’s fractured future. Hear from Ed Dixon, Sam Carp, Steve McCaskill and Josh Sim as they focus on the people, power and decisions that will shape the industry over the next 12 months.

The SportsPro Podcast signs off for the year with its traditional dose of festive chaos, as Ed Dixon hosts the 2025 SportsPro Christmas Quiz with Josh Sim, Steve McCaskill and Sam Carp. From staggeringly slow quick-fire questions and an ill-conceived bidding round to confusing quotes and a nail-biting finale, the team test how much they actually remember from the past 12 months across the global sports industry. Will they cope under the pressure, which of them suffers the ignominy of the wooden spoon and who walks away with the title? Tune in to find out.

The SportsPro Podcast returns with Ed Dixon, Steve McCaskill and Sam Carp as they break down darts’ rapid ascent with PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter. From the World Darts Championship selling out in an hour to the first £1 million winner’s prize, the team explores how the sport has entered a new golden era.They also dig into the PDC’s expanded Sky Sports deal, the global demand reshaping the calendar, and what comes next for Ally Pally as the organisation weighs its future. Plus, a look at Luke Littler’s impact, the push to reach younger audiences, and why Saudi Arabia is the latest stop on darts’ international journey.

The SportsPro Podcast returns with Josh Sim, Steve McCaskill, Ed Dixon and Sam Carp, alongside a drop-in from BlackBook Motorsport’s Cian Brittle.Fresh from Monaco, Josh shares his insights from the Sportel business conference, including LaLiga president Javier Tebas’ comments on pan-European rights and SURJ Sports Investment chief executive Danny Townsend’s perspective on the firm’s strategy.The team then unpacks Steve’s sit down with Sports Interactive studio director Miles Jacobson, exploring Football Manager’s delayed release, its transition to a new engine, and the task of integrating women’s soccer into the game.The panel also reacts to Formula One’s new US media rights deal with Apple and debates whether the agreement makes sense for both parties.

SportsPro’s Steve McCaskill sits down with Miles Jacobson, the studio director at Sports Interactive, the UK-based video game developer known for Football Manager to discuss the most significant evolution in the series history. Jacobson explains the studio’s move to the Unity engine, why the team delayed the game’s release, and how they overhauled the user interface and match engine for the 2026 edition. The conversation explores the addition of women’s football, new licensing deals including the Premier League, data-driven game design, partnerships with platforms like Netflix and Apple Arcade, and the emergence of Football Manager as an esports title.

SportsPro’s Steve McCaskill sits down with Miles Jacobson, the studio director at Sports Interactive, the UK-based video game developer known for Football Manager to discuss the most significant evolution in the series history. Jacobson explains the studio’s move to the Unity engine, why the team delayed the game’s release, and how they overhauled the user interface and match engine for the 2026 edition. The conversation explores the addition of women’s football, new licensing deals including the Premier League, data-driven game design, partnerships with platforms like Netflix and Apple Arcade, and the emergence of Football Manager as an esports title.

The SportsPro Podcast returns with a special guest in the studio, as Ed Dixon, Sam Carp, and Josh Sim are joined by SportsPro’s Director of Key Projects, Mike Long, to unpack the 2025 edition of SportsPro’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes. And there’s plenty to get into. From surprise inclusions to big risers and the stories behind the rankings. They’re also joined by the experts from Northstar Solutions Group, who reveal the data-driven insights shaping this year’s list. The team discuss the biggest cultural trends, the evolving role of social media, and why authenticity has become the ultimate currency in athlete marketability. Tune in to find out who claimed the top spot. And yes, the quiz no one asked for makes another appearance!  Recorded at Spotify UK Headquarters.

The SportsPro Podcast returns with Ed Dixon, Sam Carp, Steve McCaskill and Josh Sim turning their attention to the US. From the NFL’s rising franchise valuations to the NBA’s record-breaking domestic media deal, the team explores why more money than ever is flowing into the major leagues.They also get stuck into other big talking points stateside, including the sales of the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics, the broadcast state of play across the leagues and why US sports properties are looking overseas for growth.Recorded live from Spotify Studios in London.

SportsPro's Head of Editorial Sam Carp explores the evolving business of stadium naming rights with Al Guido, president of the San Francisco 49ers and chairman and CEO of Elevate.The pair unpack why venue sponsorships have historically been a harder sell in Europe than in North America and consider whether attitudes are softening amid landmark deals for the likes of Everton.  Guido offers insight on the nuances of identifying a stadium naming rights partner, how to balance fan sentiment with commercial ambition, and why the next era of venue sponsorships will be defined by authentic storytelling, cultural relevance, and year-round engagement.

The SportsPro Podcast goes on the road to London Stadium for SportsPro AI 2025, where Sam Carp, Ed Dixon, Steve McCaskill and Josh Sim take the pulse of a rapidly shifting tech landscape. From the battle for AI leadership to the challenges of stitching together multi-technology partnerships with major leagues, the team reflect on the biggest talking points from the day.  Recorded on-site, the episode also features perspectives from some of the event’s headline speakers, including the IOC’s head of AI, Microsoft’s worldwide strategy director, and the Premier League’s director of digital media and audience development. And stick around until the end to see the moment the SportsBizBlitz crowns a new winner - and the old title holder’s reaction to being dethroned in dramatic fashion.